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Bethel College
=Vol. 68, No. 1; September 25, 1992;
Professor Gowdy Fired Because
of his Views On Homosexuality
by Josh Freed
Editor
In May of 1992, Associate Professor
of Cultural Studies Ken Gowdy was fired
because he believes that homosexual
relationships between lifetime partners is
biblicaly acceptable. At an interview ain
his St. Paul home, Gowdy maintained
that a position on homosexuality was
never made a condition of his employment.
"I was never asked about my views
on homosexuality until April, 1991,"
Gowdy said. It was in April of 1991 that
Provost David Brandt questioned Gowdy
about his position. Gowdy maintained
that he was not required to hold any
particular view on homosexuality while
at Bethel. Gowdy has taught at Bethel
for 21 years.
In a meeting with students, Brandt
said that the lifestyle statement and the
affirmation of faith, when taken together,
show Bethel's position on homosexuality. The lifestyle statement describes
homosexuality and sexual relationships
outside of marriaee as "nractices which
are forbidden in Scripture" and "are not
condined in the lives of members of the
Bethel community." Brandt also cited a
statement he issued in March of 1990
which said in part that "Bethel's lifestyle
statement restricts a faculty member in
that it does not allow advocating homo-
Inside this
issue:
Campus reaction
to Gowdy's firing
on page 2
Siberian Student
tells of her
experiences in the
U.S. on page 10
Fiddler on the
Roof, pageS
Summer Missions,
page 11
sexuality as a viable lifestyle for Christians."
AH Bethel faculty are required to
affirm the lifestyle statement and the
affirmation of faith when their contract is
renewed each year. The section containing the reference to homosexuality was
added to the lifestyle statement in 1981.
The affirmation of faith makes no
mention of homosexuality.
The chain of events which led up to
Gowdy's firing began when Gowdy
mentioned his views on homosexuality to
a student in March of 1991. Gowdy said
it was a casual conversation, and that
many subjects were discussed besides
homosexuality. "At the moment, [the
conversation] wasn't a significant event
for me," he said.
Later that day, the student spoke with
John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist
church in Minneapolis. In an exclusive
interview with the Clarion, Piper
described the conversation with the
student. Piper said that while he was
eating lunch at his house with the
student, the subject of homosexuality
came up, and the student mentioned his
earlier conversation with Gowdy. Piper
recalled that the student was not exactly
sure of Gowdy's position on homosexuality, but the student was not sure that
Gowdy believed that homosexuality was
wrong. "It was then in my ball park to
clarify what had been said by the
student," Piper said.
Both Piper and Gowdy believe that
the student was not trying to damage
Gowdy's standing at Bethel. "I consider
the student innocent," Gowdy said.
Gowdy and Piper have refused to
identify the student, and Brandt said that
he does not know who the student is.
Five months later, in August of 1991,
Piper met with Gowdy to clarify what
the student had said. Gowdy said of
Piper: "I'll never forget his face. He
looked like he was under a terrible,
terrible burden." According to Gowdy,
Piper had not yet decided to tell the
administration of Gowdy's views.
Piper said he contacted Brandt during
the fall of 1991 to "plead that Bethel be
faithful to the Word of God." Brandt
said that Piper told him that persons who
hold Gowdy's view should not be
teaching at Bethel. Brandt said "I
responded to Doctor Piper as I do to
anyone who...complains about an
instructor."
Brandt met with Gowdy about six
months later, in April of 1992. Brandt
stated that the time delays were due to
missed communications and Christmas
vacation. After meeting with Gowdy to
clarify Gowdy's views, Brandt informed
Gowdy that his views were outside the
parameters of belief at Bethel. Gowdy
said he received his notice by letter on
May 5.
Several memos issued by the Administration assert that "Gowdy stated that
his views on homosexuality have
changed since he first joined the Bethel
faculty."
Gowdy said that it was the college
that made the characterization that his
views had changed. "I have never said
that my views changed," he asserted.
Gowdy described the traditional view
that people with a homosexual orientation must remain celibate as a "double
standard," and he believes that it does
not have a scriptural foundation. He
stated that "The very few references that
are present in the scriptures on homosexuality do not form an adequate base
for asking the question 'what is an
appropriate sexual ethic for those who
have a homosexual orientation.'" He
would apply the same scriptural standard
to homosexuals that is applied to
heterosexuals: that of a lifetime commitment.
Gowdy's contention is that he was
under no contractual obligation to ascribe
to a certain belief about homosexuality.
However, Brandt stated that "We believe
a lot of things that aren't written down.
That's because everybody knows what
they are...I think homosexuality was one
of those things."
Freshmen Elect Student Senators
In spite of high voter turnout, Freshmen know little about senate
by Damon Abbey
Writing Intern
In first place for the Freshman Senate
is the new Freshman Class President
James Olsen, in second place is Cari
Foote, in third place is Jennifer Niehaus,
and in fourth place is Ruth Johnson. But
is anyone interested?
Each year Bethel begins by running
elections to fill Freshman Senate
positions. This year's elections took
place Monday and Tuesday, September
14-15, and by Wednesday Bethel once
again had four new freshman senators
and a class president to boot.
The campaigns began even before
classes began and by Thursday, September 10 eleven freshmen were vying for
the four positions at the rally held in
front of the freshmen dorms. Other
campaigning consisted of hanging
posters advertising themselves and
coming up with catchy campaign slogans
such as Cari Foote's "Put Your Foote
Forward, Vote Cari Foote!" or Ruth
Johnson's "Vote For Baby Ruth Johnson! I'm Not A Butterfmger." And,
according to the new senators, it was
slogans and advertisements such as these
that got their names out to their class-
males and resulted in their election.
But the question remains: Does
anybody else care about the senate?
"Roughly 60% of the freshman class
of 349 students voted for somebody,"
said Vice President of Communications
Kim Perry. So, yes, some do care.
However, in a poll taken of 50 freshmen
the night after the elections were
completed 41 did not yet know who had
won and 36 out of the 50 had no idea as
to what the senate does. The four
freshman senators themselves agreed that
this is a problem so, as a service to the
whole freshman class and indeed Bethel
Photo/Shane DeHaan
New Freshman Class President
James Olsen
itself, here's the scoop: The freshman
senate's powers and responsibilities
straight from the Student's Senate
handbook. They are:
1. To attend all Student Senate meetings
2. To represent his or her class on any
issues brought to them
3. To inibate legislation
4. To communicate with his or her class
5. To serve on those Student, Faculty, or
Administrative committees to which he
or she has been appointed
6. To attend the Fall Leadership Retreat
And in addition to his dubes as a senator,
James Olsen has responsibilities as class
president. These are:
1. To be a spokesperson for his class on
all issues pertaining to the class
2. To be responsible for the administration of all activities delegated to his class
3. To call meetings as needed of his class
officers
4. To find additional help from his class
if needed for those traditional events
assigned to the class
5. To work with the vice president for
services and special projects
6. To meet regularly with the vice
president of finance to review budget
considerations and expenditures of the
BSA
Senate, continued on page 3

Reproduction or distribution of these files is permitted for educational and research purposes with proper attribution to the Bethel Digital Library. No commercial reproduction or distribution of these files is permitted under copyright law without the written permission of Bethel University Digital Library. For questions or further information on this collection, contact digital-library@bethel.edu.

Reproduction or distribution of these files is permitted for educational and research purposes with proper attribution to the Bethel Digital Library. No commercial reproduction or distribution of these files is permitted under copyright law without the written permission of Bethel University Digital Library. For questions or further information on this collection, contact digital-library@bethel.edu.

Bethel College
=Vol. 68, No. 1; September 25, 1992;
Professor Gowdy Fired Because
of his Views On Homosexuality
by Josh Freed
Editor
In May of 1992, Associate Professor
of Cultural Studies Ken Gowdy was fired
because he believes that homosexual
relationships between lifetime partners is
biblicaly acceptable. At an interview ain
his St. Paul home, Gowdy maintained
that a position on homosexuality was
never made a condition of his employment.
"I was never asked about my views
on homosexuality until April, 1991,"
Gowdy said. It was in April of 1991 that
Provost David Brandt questioned Gowdy
about his position. Gowdy maintained
that he was not required to hold any
particular view on homosexuality while
at Bethel. Gowdy has taught at Bethel
for 21 years.
In a meeting with students, Brandt
said that the lifestyle statement and the
affirmation of faith, when taken together,
show Bethel's position on homosexuality. The lifestyle statement describes
homosexuality and sexual relationships
outside of marriaee as "nractices which
are forbidden in Scripture" and "are not
condined in the lives of members of the
Bethel community." Brandt also cited a
statement he issued in March of 1990
which said in part that "Bethel's lifestyle
statement restricts a faculty member in
that it does not allow advocating homo-
Inside this
issue:
Campus reaction
to Gowdy's firing
on page 2
Siberian Student
tells of her
experiences in the
U.S. on page 10
Fiddler on the
Roof, pageS
Summer Missions,
page 11
sexuality as a viable lifestyle for Christians."
AH Bethel faculty are required to
affirm the lifestyle statement and the
affirmation of faith when their contract is
renewed each year. The section containing the reference to homosexuality was
added to the lifestyle statement in 1981.
The affirmation of faith makes no
mention of homosexuality.
The chain of events which led up to
Gowdy's firing began when Gowdy
mentioned his views on homosexuality to
a student in March of 1991. Gowdy said
it was a casual conversation, and that
many subjects were discussed besides
homosexuality. "At the moment, [the
conversation] wasn't a significant event
for me," he said.
Later that day, the student spoke with
John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist
church in Minneapolis. In an exclusive
interview with the Clarion, Piper
described the conversation with the
student. Piper said that while he was
eating lunch at his house with the
student, the subject of homosexuality
came up, and the student mentioned his
earlier conversation with Gowdy. Piper
recalled that the student was not exactly
sure of Gowdy's position on homosexuality, but the student was not sure that
Gowdy believed that homosexuality was
wrong. "It was then in my ball park to
clarify what had been said by the
student," Piper said.
Both Piper and Gowdy believe that
the student was not trying to damage
Gowdy's standing at Bethel. "I consider
the student innocent," Gowdy said.
Gowdy and Piper have refused to
identify the student, and Brandt said that
he does not know who the student is.
Five months later, in August of 1991,
Piper met with Gowdy to clarify what
the student had said. Gowdy said of
Piper: "I'll never forget his face. He
looked like he was under a terrible,
terrible burden." According to Gowdy,
Piper had not yet decided to tell the
administration of Gowdy's views.
Piper said he contacted Brandt during
the fall of 1991 to "plead that Bethel be
faithful to the Word of God." Brandt
said that Piper told him that persons who
hold Gowdy's view should not be
teaching at Bethel. Brandt said "I
responded to Doctor Piper as I do to
anyone who...complains about an
instructor."
Brandt met with Gowdy about six
months later, in April of 1992. Brandt
stated that the time delays were due to
missed communications and Christmas
vacation. After meeting with Gowdy to
clarify Gowdy's views, Brandt informed
Gowdy that his views were outside the
parameters of belief at Bethel. Gowdy
said he received his notice by letter on
May 5.
Several memos issued by the Administration assert that "Gowdy stated that
his views on homosexuality have
changed since he first joined the Bethel
faculty."
Gowdy said that it was the college
that made the characterization that his
views had changed. "I have never said
that my views changed," he asserted.
Gowdy described the traditional view
that people with a homosexual orientation must remain celibate as a "double
standard," and he believes that it does
not have a scriptural foundation. He
stated that "The very few references that
are present in the scriptures on homosexuality do not form an adequate base
for asking the question 'what is an
appropriate sexual ethic for those who
have a homosexual orientation.'" He
would apply the same scriptural standard
to homosexuals that is applied to
heterosexuals: that of a lifetime commitment.
Gowdy's contention is that he was
under no contractual obligation to ascribe
to a certain belief about homosexuality.
However, Brandt stated that "We believe
a lot of things that aren't written down.
That's because everybody knows what
they are...I think homosexuality was one
of those things."
Freshmen Elect Student Senators
In spite of high voter turnout, Freshmen know little about senate
by Damon Abbey
Writing Intern
In first place for the Freshman Senate
is the new Freshman Class President
James Olsen, in second place is Cari
Foote, in third place is Jennifer Niehaus,
and in fourth place is Ruth Johnson. But
is anyone interested?
Each year Bethel begins by running
elections to fill Freshman Senate
positions. This year's elections took
place Monday and Tuesday, September
14-15, and by Wednesday Bethel once
again had four new freshman senators
and a class president to boot.
The campaigns began even before
classes began and by Thursday, September 10 eleven freshmen were vying for
the four positions at the rally held in
front of the freshmen dorms. Other
campaigning consisted of hanging
posters advertising themselves and
coming up with catchy campaign slogans
such as Cari Foote's "Put Your Foote
Forward, Vote Cari Foote!" or Ruth
Johnson's "Vote For Baby Ruth Johnson! I'm Not A Butterfmger." And,
according to the new senators, it was
slogans and advertisements such as these
that got their names out to their class-
males and resulted in their election.
But the question remains: Does
anybody else care about the senate?
"Roughly 60% of the freshman class
of 349 students voted for somebody,"
said Vice President of Communications
Kim Perry. So, yes, some do care.
However, in a poll taken of 50 freshmen
the night after the elections were
completed 41 did not yet know who had
won and 36 out of the 50 had no idea as
to what the senate does. The four
freshman senators themselves agreed that
this is a problem so, as a service to the
whole freshman class and indeed Bethel
Photo/Shane DeHaan
New Freshman Class President
James Olsen
itself, here's the scoop: The freshman
senate's powers and responsibilities
straight from the Student's Senate
handbook. They are:
1. To attend all Student Senate meetings
2. To represent his or her class on any
issues brought to them
3. To inibate legislation
4. To communicate with his or her class
5. To serve on those Student, Faculty, or
Administrative committees to which he
or she has been appointed
6. To attend the Fall Leadership Retreat
And in addition to his dubes as a senator,
James Olsen has responsibilities as class
president. These are:
1. To be a spokesperson for his class on
all issues pertaining to the class
2. To be responsible for the administration of all activities delegated to his class
3. To call meetings as needed of his class
officers
4. To find additional help from his class
if needed for those traditional events
assigned to the class
5. To work with the vice president for
services and special projects
6. To meet regularly with the vice
president of finance to review budget
considerations and expenditures of the
BSA
Senate, continued on page 3